Mr World and Miss Church-Member | Page 5

and there, issued
from openings into which many an unsuspecting traveler fell.
Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes there were but few, indeed,
who took warning and fled toward the King's Highway. Many, like
Miss Church-Member, were walking on the forbidden path for no other
reason than some weak apology.
"What mean these lurid openings?" nervously asked Miss
Church-Member, for their flames excited her terror. Mr. World replied,

with a look of surprise: "Have you never heard that these are to give
light to pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way would prove very
dark and dreary."
"What a contrast," she exclaimed, "between these lights and those that
illumine the King's Highway! They shine from above, with increasing
splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights. It
seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way, and its
lights the more inconstant,--so fitful is their gruesome glare."
"Ah! I see what ails you," responded Mr. World. "Your eyes are at fault.
We will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision ere your
eyes are totally ruined."
The attention of Miss Church-Member was suddenly attracted by
seeing a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of
destruction. As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury
through the newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan covered
the breach so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor
man, nor smell the fumes from the burning strata.
Then did I look and, behold, I saw such places in countless variety,
each attended by a servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made by
an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others, in passing
along, would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal fissures.
Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of
human life which now came to her attention more vividly than when
she traveled on the King's Highway.
She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair,
and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched
ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance.
"Help! help! I sink I know not whither," was her wailing cry, as she
was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward her
would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames that
issued from the fresh opening.

"Oh, horror!" shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr.
World. "That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of
wickedness and vice."
[Illustration: Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an
unfortunate victim.]
Without a moment's delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and
covered it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such
skill that neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any
longer perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot,
and with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so
that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and
heed.
"It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of
such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the
Cross."
"Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually
and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem
determined to walk in such a terrible path as this." Her finger pointed to
the spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more.
"Look yonder," he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. "Do you see
that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill,"
he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice.
She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman
and asked her to pause a moment.
"Are you willing to be saved from destruction?" earnestly asked Miss
Church-Member.
"I am safe enough," was the indifferent reply.
"You are now walking rapidly toward an awful death," were her further
words of warning.

"What right have you to judge me," she curtly replied, "since you also
are on this Broad Highway? Have I not heard already the words from
those who also wear the pilgrim's robe, but who journey on the King's
Highway? Their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my
eyes, but your words only stir up my indignation."
"Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My only intention is to do you
good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little
farther in the same course that you are now pursuing."
Then did the